'The Battle for Compassion': ethics in a world of accelerating change
post by lukeprog · 2011-09-11T12:54:00.113Z · LW · GW · Legacy · 3 commentsThe Battle for Compassion: Ethics in an Apathetic Universe is a new book by first-time author Jonathan Leighton. He argues for 'negative utilitarianism plus', which means negative utilitarianism that nevertheless values existence. Chapter 13, 'Where We're Headed', discusses the Singularity at some length and mentions Yudkowsky several times. (Click 'Look Inside' on Amazon and search for 'Singularity' or 'Yudkowsky'.)
The book is written for a popular audience and does not reflect my views.
3 comments
Comments sorted by top scores.
comment by DanielLC · 2011-09-12T01:57:21.291Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
which means negative utilitarianism that nevertheless values existence
So, you get a constant utility minus however much pain you feel?
It's not negative utilitarianism if it has any positive values. It just doesn't have the normal ones.
comment by MatthewBaker · 2011-09-11T13:57:44.213Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
Thanks for the heads up, Ill transfer this to my kindle for later :)